Part A Providers Reap the Benefits When Making the Switch From CWF to HETS

ABILITY | EASE Users Find Value in More Information, Better Workflow

January 20, 2014 12:08 ET | Source:ABILITY Network Inc

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 20, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Many Part A providers made an early transition to a new government-mandated eligibility transaction system by implementing the ABILITY | EASE service from ABILITY Network. Besides becoming familiar with the new requirements, these early adopters have realized additional benefits for their Medicare reimbursement process, thanks to unique features of ABILITY | EASE.

ABILITY | EASE simplifies time-consuming processes and gives more control over revenue cycle management. Providers using ABILITY | EASE receive advance alerts for receivables at risk, have easy eligibility look-ups, and benefit from a simple automated process to correct complex and multi-step claims.

On April 7, 2014, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) plans to terminate access to the Common Working File (CWF) eligibility queries implemented in the Fiscal Intermediary Standard System (FISS) Direct Data Entry (DDE), often referred to the HIQA, HIQH, ELGA and ELGH screens and HUQA. When Part A providers make the required switch from CWF to the HIPAA Eligibility Transaction System (HETS), staff who check and validate eligibility will need to use an all-new computer interface, and many workflow procedures may need to be adjusted.

"Many of our customers use the HETS transition as an opportunity to take a closer look at their entire revenue cycle management process," said Bud Meadows, Executive Vice President at ABILITY. "These days, everyone is looking for ways to cut waste and increase revenue. An advanced workflow tool like ABILITY | EASE can help bring about improvements very quickly."

Hebrew Home and Hospital, a small hospital and skilled nursing facility in Connecticut, originally decided to implement the ABILITY | EASE service in order to make an early switch to HETS and ensure a smooth transition for staff. "But then we found that ABILITY | EASE provides a lot more value beyond the HETS connection," said Business Manager Theresa Simms. "The workflow tools give us more time, more efficiencies."

Almost immediately after implementing the ABILITY | EASE product, Hebrew Home and Hospital saw an increase in both productivity and revenue. "This was a no brainer – it paid for itself in two months," said Simms.

ABILITY Network, a CMS-approved Network Service Vendor (NSV), is one of the nation's largest volume, most experienced eligibility submitters and one of the first NSVs to connect to Medicare HETS in 2005, when the system first became available. "We're the most prepared to provide the highest level of service and support for HETS," stated Meadows. Visit www.abilitynetwork.com/HETS/ for more information.

ABILITY® Network Inc is a leading healthcare technology company trusted by thousands of hospitals, home health care agencies, hospices, skilled nursing facilities, DME and other healthcare providers throughout the U.S. ABILITY provides a broad suite of innovative workflow tools to help manage the administrative complexities of healthcare. ABILITY is headquartered in Minneapolis, with anchor offices in Boston and Tampa, and satellite offices across the country.

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